Riley's Kentucky IRONMAN 2014 - The Run

On the third and final leg of the Ironman, we caught up with Riley as he took a break from running to walk a bit of this 26.2 mile run. By this point in the day, the car thermometer read 95 degrees. We told Riley it was only in the 80's.

It was hot.

I think he's telling us he's hot.

Volunteers set out cool wet sponges for the participants to snatch as they passed by and also handed out beverages.

Sometimes it helps to make new friends along the way and walk and talk together to take your mind off what you're doing.

Like a 140.6 mile Ironman.

To those of you who watched the race on your computer: do you remember when Riley crossed the finish line and then turned around as if he was going to go back? He was looking for his friend above to congratulate him, but at some point they got separated and I'm not sure if they ever met up again.

Remember this picture from that post? This was the day before the race where Riley was getting all his stuff in order and filling these bags accordingly.

This was one of the spots along the run where he could pick up one of his bags which may contain additional food, etc.

Lots of spectators!

We could see them cross the finish line on a big screen.

As the night progressed, the streets got crowded as we all waited for the arrival of our heroes.

Yes, that is the back of Steve with the camo hat on.

Riley wouldn't recognize his dad if he wasn't wearing something camo.

And just under 15 hours later, Riley came across the finish line!!

He has his Ironman medal around his neck!

The volunteer is directing him and making sure he's okay.

A great finish!

Wearing the Ironman hats Riley's older brother, Steven, had made for us with Ironman and Riley's name embroidered on the side.

They were made at the store.

Steven doesn't embroider.

Hi Steven!

Steven is laid up these days as he had a rod removed from the bone of his leg this past week. He suffered a compound fracture during a motocross race, oh, some 13 years ago I believe it was. The rod was giving him trouble.

Now he'll be able to get through airport security faster!

Ok, where was I...

The following day, Riley got out of bed all on his own and was ready to go sightseeing! Aside from the huge blisters on his feet, he felt pretty good but wanted to keep walking and stair climbing to a minimum.

We looked for cool things to do.

Literally.

                  

So we took a ride on a tram through a cavern underneath Louisville.

It was really cold.

We visited a distillery.

Had dinner alongside the Ohio River where Riley ordered...

...this MASSIVE hamburger and got himself a t-shirt for finishing the WHOLE thing.

He gave the t-shirt to his dad.

No, it wasn't camo.

He wants his dad to experiment with colors.

Congratulations, Riley, on your HUGE accomplishment and on finishing this burger!

Riley's Kentucky IRONMAN 2014 - The Bike Race

In my last post about the Ironman in Kentucky that Riley, our son, participated in, I left you hanging with him exiting the Ohio River and moving on to the transition area where he changed into his bike clothes, grabbed his bike, and was off on a 112 mile ride.

Lindsey, Steve, and I scrambled to various places along the race trail throughout the day. This was our first glimpse of Riley fresh out of the transition area. For more on the transition area check out this post - Riley's Kentucky IRONMAN 2014 - The Swim. 

Lathered up with sun screen thanks to the volunteers.

Here we encounter him at a place on the trail where all the bikers had to do a U-turn and go back whence they came on this particular road.

Very congested to say the least! But no injuries or mishaps that I know of.

Is he going to spit Gatorade at me?

Steve taking pictures with the phone of me trying to get pictures of Riley.

Another spot we raced to (huff and puff - in the car) to see him.

I watched and waited...until Steve yelled, "Here he comes, Debi!"

I completely missed the first shot.

But I caught Steve shouting words of encouragement!

And some guy I didn't know was there...

But I got the second shot of a very sweaty Riley.

Another spot waiting for him to come over the hill in LaGrange, Kentucky.

Here he comes...

He makes it look so easy when I was sweating profusely in the 95 degree weather while sitting in a lawn chair.

He's eating and biking at the same time.

Always good to see a thumbs up!

We went and got a bite to eat ourselves, then waited and waited for him by the finish line of the bike leg.

Steve finally asked a volunteer to check the transition area for his bike and realized we had missed him by a mere few minutes.

So off to the run route and the FINISH!

You'll see that on here in a few days.

Y'all come back now, ya hear?

(Hey, I only used y'all once, er, twice.)

Okay, now that I've said that, I have to tell you a short, quick story.

This past weekend, Steve and I did a little four-wheeling on our ATV's. We stopped to take a break on this sandy hill we often visit. Shortly thereafter, four guys came riding up, I should say roaring up, on the sandy hill and proceeded to have a lot of crazy fun. They entertained us for awhile then came to a stop.

Steve: "Hey, you guys are having a lot of fun."

Guy: "Sure are. Where y'all from?"

Steve: "We live not too far from here. Where are you from?"

Guy: "Just moved up here y'all from Kentucky."

True. Story.

And if this all makes absolutely no sense to you, dear readers, check out this post and it will make better sense, I hope. Riley's Kentucky IRONMAN 2014 - The Swim

Have a great weekend everyone!

Stay warm!

Riley's Kentucky IRONMAN 2014 - The Swim

I want to start this post with the finish of the 2014 Louisville Kentucky IRONMAN. Riley finished in just under 15 hours in heat that read 95 degrees on our car's thermometer - and that wasn't even the heat index!

I took over 500 pictures during the week we were in Kentucky.

I'm sure you don't have time to view all 500 in one sitting do y'all?

And I can use the word y'all for a few more days because I stayed there a week. 

In Kentucky.

Did I mention that to y'all?

And I honestly cannot count on my fingers how many times we were asked by nice Kentuckians, 

"Where y'all from?"

Michigan.

"Thought so. Y'all have that accent."

Looking behind us over our shoulders and to each face in our group in bewilderment...Who? Us?

Okay, Let's start at the beginning of this spectacular event.

I'll only cover the swim part of the race in this post.

And, no, I will not share all 500 pictures with you so please come on back y'all.

Don't be scared...

The morning of the day before the race.

Riley had to organize all his necessary belongings, food, and equipment into the official Ironman bags.

There was a meeting in the afternoon where it got pretty crowded.

The white arrow points to Riley and Lindsey sitting against the wall.

The doorway to the actual participant's meeting was busting at the seams, so many athletes sat around on the floor and could still hear the rules, directions, etc.

After the meeting Riley had to get his bike to the transition area. The transition area is where the athletes return after each leg of the race to change into the appropriate race attire.

Speaking of legs...Here's the lowdown on an Ironman race:

First, there is a 2.4 mile swim.

Second, the bike race is 112 miles long.

And lastly, the run is 26.2 miles long.

Grand total: 140.6 miles

My legs are tired.

The transition area is very large. There were 2,400 competitors. No one is allowed in the transition area except the athletes and the volunteers. There are actually more volunteers than participants!

And there is another white arrow pointing at Riley. I should have made the arrow red or blue or yellow.

What was I thinking.

Riley's fan club and cheerer-on-ers.

And me, too.

Go, Riley!

The morning of the swim. Athletes lined up on a first come first serve basis.

All kinds of volunteers in the water to help swimmers who may have trouble.

The line goes on and on...

...and on and on.

Did I say there were 2,400 participants?

News Guy. Camera man.

First swimmer to jump in. 

Rules were they had to jump feet first.

And they're off...

There he is!

"Let's DO this thing!"

Getting busier..

Lindsey, Steve and I walked up to this pedestrians only bridge for a better view.

This is where they jumped in. The starting line to the swim.

They swam against the current going up on the right side of this photo to the top of the island, then around and back down (left side) swimming with the current.

Here they come...

They swim under the pedestrian bridge and the highway bridge way over to the finish line which is by the white tents (far left) and where the transition area is.

I gave up using the white arrow.

Lots of spectators making their way to the swim finish line.

Now we are at the finish line. Can't tell the swimmers apart at this moment.

Here he comes, emerging out of the water...

...and reaching for a fresh cup of water from one of the volunteers.

Great job!!

Then he ran off to the transition area to change into his bike gear, grab his bike, and go!

My next posting will be about the bike race.

Did I mention it was 112 miles long?

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Creme Cheese Berry Pie

Oh, and remember that Huckleberry Pie I made a few weeks back on the post Huckleberry Heaven, and promised to share the recipe with y'all?

Well, just click on the above pictures or the link above and it will take you to my cooking blog, Cabin Cleaver, where you'll find the detailed recipe with photos version (and me talkin') and a printable version of the recipe if you want to give this easy, versatile, yummy pie a try.

Have a fun-filled weekend y'all.

I promise I'll start cutting back on the y'all, y'all...eventually. Baby steps...

Why not tell me "where y'all from?"